The Latest Breaking News from Pastef

From prisoner to president: Bassirou Diomaye Faye to become Senegal’s youngest leader

Only two weeks ago, Bassirou Diomaye Faye was sitting in a prison cell. Faye was arrested almost a year ago for “spreading false news, contempt of court, and defamation of a constituted body". He is now set to be inaugurated as Senegal's president.

Radio France Internationale · Mar 26, 2024

Senegal's Bassirou Diomaye Faye Steps Into Presidential Spotlight

From a Dakar prison to the presidency, Senegal's anti-establishment Bassirou Diomaye Faye embodies the winning charisma of his mentor and opposition figurehead Ousmane Sonko, who endorsed him as his replacement.

International Business Times · Mar 25, 2024

Senegal election results: Who is Diomaye Faye, tipped to be next president?

Faye, a former tax inspector, has pledged to weed out corruption, restore stability and prioritise economic sovereignty.

Al Jazeera · Mar 25, 2024

US Says Vote Delaying Senegal Presidential Poll Not 'Legitimate'

The vote to delay Senegal's presidential election until December "cannot be considered legitimate", the US state department said, after the move plunged the normally stable West African nation into its worst crisis in decades.

International Business Times · Feb 7, 2024

Presidential race setback for Senegal opposition leader after court rulings

Constitutional Council rejects Ousmane Sonko’s candidate application after Supreme Court upholds defamation conviction.

Al Jazeera · Jan 5, 2024

Senegalese opposition chooses new candidate for presidential election

Following Senegal's Supreme Court ruling on opposition leader Ousmane Sonko's ineligibility last Friday, his Pastef party announced another candidate to defy President Macky Sall in the upcoming presidential election.

Radio France Internationale · Nov 20, 2023

Senegal politicians claim they are being prevented from raising sponsorship for election bids

Presidential candidates in Senegal have denounced a number of arrests of supporters as they collected political sponsorship, a crucial step in the run up to the February 2024 polls. Opposition leader Ousmane Sonko is also still facing legal challenges.

Radio France Internationale · Oct 23, 2023

Senegal's Ousmane Sonko ends hunger strike, remains ineligible to stand for election

Jailed Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, an aspiring presidential candidate and head of state Macky Sall's fiercest critic, ended a hunger strike Monday.

Radio France Internationale · Sep 4, 2023

Hunger-striking Senegalese opposition leader Sonko struck off electoral roll

Detained Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko has been removed from the country's electoral roll in a move denounced by his political party as "inhumane persecution". Sonko, who is in hospital on hunger strike, was transferred to intensive care after his condition weakened overnight, the party added.

Radio France Internationale · Aug 17, 2023

Fears for Senegalese opposition leader Sonko amid ongoing hunger strike

Concerns are mounting for the health of Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, who's been on hunger strike since his detention in July on charges of insurrection.

Radio France Internationale · Aug 16, 2023